kalk in ato

jamest0o0 · 06/14/2011, 02:23 PM

When the water in the reservoir evaporates should I add more kalk too or just water? And is it normal for their to be like a hard layer on top of the water from adding kalk?

halcyonism · 06/14/2011, 02:52 PM

Your top off reservoir should be sealed, it's exposure to the air that is causing the hard layer.

jamest0o0 · 06/14/2011, 02:55 PM

Oh really, I didn't think that mattered. Any suggestions on what to use? Right now I just have a 10g tank as my reservoir.

halcyonism · 06/14/2011, 03:12 PM

I use one of the pet food storage containers from Petsmart, works like a charm.

kduen · 06/14/2011, 03:26 PM

Or if you already have a container you can use Glad's press and seal. I have been using it for months with no issues.

Sk8r · 06/14/2011, 09:47 PM

I use rolled up paper towel as a gasket on a big Brute trash can. You add kalk if you suspect your solution would be weak. Otherwise just ro/di water.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 06/15/2011, 05:15 AM

It is normal for a layer of calcium carbonate to form on the surface. It helps protect the underlying limewater from additional CO2 penetration, which depletes it.

I keep mine in closed Brute trash cans (actually, 3 x 44 gallon cans plumbed together with bulkheads to allow me to make up 130 gallons at a time).

Lynnmw1208 · 06/15/2011, 09:24 AM

Good info here! I didn't know that you had to keep it covered!

If it's a 10 gallon aquarium holding the ATO, would a 10 gallon glass lid be enough?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 06/15/2011, 12:24 PM

Any lid that blocks air flow is good enough, but I'm not sure what sort of vents might be in an aquarium lid.

cloak · 06/15/2011, 12:51 PM

I have an off topic question, sort of. The way I understand it is that once you mix the kalk into the water it will separate into three sections, residue on the bottom, clear water in the middle, then a chalky layer on top. 1:4:1 After this has happened, can I pour this into another container? (ATO reservoir) Will these layers separate again or will it just be a cloudy mess? Thanks.

jeff@zina.com · 06/15/2011, 12:55 PM

For the most part, any kalk supplement will precipitate out when there is too much in the water. It separates on it's own, no help needed.

Adding straight RO/DI will resaturate the new water, until you notice, suspect or preferably, test for, the levels in your tank and add new kalk.

Jeff

jamest0o0 · 06/15/2011, 01:04 PM

Alright so with how I'm doing things now is it okay? Or should I switch to a different container? And from my understanding, add more kalk to the ATO when it doesn't have that layer on top?

cloak · 06/15/2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff@zina.com

For the most part, any kalk supplement will precipitate out when there is too much in the water. It separates on it's own, no help needed.

Adding straight RO/DI will resaturate the new water, until you notice, suspect or preferably, test for, the levels in your tank and add new kalk.

Jeff

jeff@zina.com · 06/15/2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamest0o0

Alright so with how I'm doing things now is it okay? Or should I switch to a different containerlayer on top?

You're fine, though I also have a cover on mine. I don't need water evaporating from the tank that replaces evaporated water.

Jeff

Randy Holmes-Farley · 06/15/2011, 02:28 PM

The way I understand it is that once you mix the kalk into the water it will separate into three sections, residue on the bottom, clear water in the middle, then a chalky layer on top. 1:4:1

No, that isn't true. There is no fixed ratio of the three layers, and the top layer is incredibly thin. It is a slowly forming layer of calcium carbonate. It might be 1/16" of an inch think, if that, regardless of the other sizes.

The bottom layer is mostly how much excess undissolved solid you add. So the amount depends on how much you add in excess of solubility. There might be 1/10 to 1" of mud, depending on how long it was collecting.

The remainder of clear limewater can be as large as you want it to be. In my containers, it is about 3 feet.

WaterKeeper · 06/15/2011, 02:33 PM

Hi Randy,

Long time no see.

cloak · 06/15/2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Holmes-Farley

The way I understand it is that once you mix the kalk into the water it will separate into three sections, residue on the bottom, clear water in the middle, then a chalky layer on top. 1:4:1

No, that isn't true. There is no fixed ratio of the three layers, and the top layer is incredibly thin. It is a slowly forming layer of calcium carbonate. It might be 1/16" of an inch think, if that, regardless of the other sizes.

The bottom layer is mostly how much excess undissolved solid you add. So the amount depends on how much you add in excess of solubility. There might be 1/10 to 1" of mud, depending on how long it was collecting.

The remainder of clear limewater can be as large as you want it to be. In my containers, it is about 3 feet.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean for that to be looked at as a ratio, I was just trying to point out that whatever settles on the top and the bottom shouldn't be nowhere near as much as the clear water in the middle. Bad analogy I guess. Thank you though.

Jhigga15 · 06/15/2011, 02:53 PM

Hey everyone, sorry to jump in. I have a 5G tank with RO water with no top on the bottom of my biocube stand. I don't have ant thing in there but water, do I still need a top on the tank?

jamest0o0 · 08/08/2011, 01:09 PM

Figured I'd just ask this here rather than make a new post so... It's been probably a month since I've added kalk to my ATO (10g glass tank). There is still residue all over the bottom of the tank so does this mean I still don't need to add anymore? I'm still a bit confused as to when and how much kalk I should add. I do notice my PH still rises when my drip starts, but the PH has been lower in the 7.8-8.1 range rather than what it used to be at about 8.2-8.5. Thanks

jamest0o0 · 08/08/2011, 04:18 PM

bump

jamest0o0 · 08/09/2011, 04:13 PM

bump

Reefer1225 · 08/09/2011, 04:30 PM

Interested in this as well... I added more kalk after the reservoir depleted, but it seemed to raise my CA, ALK, and MG levels. I didn't want it to go any higher so I stopped putting in kalkwasser. Does Kalk maintain current levels or does it raise it?

As OP asked, do you keep adding Kalk to ATO when the water is gone from the reservoir even when you see the residue in the bottom? Do you add less kalk then the standard 1 tsp per gallon b/c there is still residue in there? Am I making any sense or just rambling.. haha..

jamest0o0 · 08/11/2011, 12:34 PM

Anyone?

Lynnmw1208 · 08/11/2011, 01:15 PM

do you mean you still have the white residue sitting on the bottom but you didn't add any kalk lately? My understanding is you can add fresh RO/DI water and it will stir up this residue and still have kalk in the water.

jamest0o0 · 08/11/2011, 02:01 PM

Exactly there is still a lot of residue on the bottom, but no hard layer at the top anymore. It's been awhile since I've added kalk. I'm just confused because initially it's like 2 tsp per gallon? But now I can't really tell how much and when to add it? Also my PH is really swinging going from as low as 7.6 with lights off to 8.2 when lights are on.

06/14/2011, 02:23 PM	#1
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	kalk in ato When the water in the reservoir evaporates should I add more kalk too or just water? And is it normal for their to be like a hard layer on top of the water from adding kalk? __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

06/14/2011, 02:52 PM	#2
halcyonism Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Washington Posts: 191	Your top off reservoir should be sealed, it's exposure to the air that is causing the hard layer. __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 200g "cube" lit with a single 250w Radium in a Hamilton Cozumel Sun pendant

06/14/2011, 02:55 PM	#3
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	Oh really, I didn't think that mattered. Any suggestions on what to use? Right now I just have a 10g tank as my reservoir. __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

06/14/2011, 03:12 PM	#4
halcyonism Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Washington Posts: 191	I use one of the pet food storage containers from Petsmart, works like a charm. __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 200g "cube" lit with a single 250w Radium in a Hamilton Cozumel Sun pendant

06/14/2011, 09:47 PM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I use rolled up paper towel as a gasket on a big Brute trash can. You add kalk if you suspect your solution would be weak. Otherwise just ro/di water. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/14/2011, 03:26 PM	#5
kduen Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Panama City, FL Posts: 684	Or if you already have a container you can use Glad's press and seal. I have been using it for months with no issues.

06/15/2011, 05:15 AM	#7
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	It is normal for a layer of calcium carbonate to form on the surface. It helps protect the underlying limewater from additional CO2 penetration, which depletes it. I keep mine in closed Brute trash cans (actually, 3 x 44 gallon cans plumbed together with bulkheads to allow me to make up 130 gallons at a time). __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

06/15/2011, 09:24 AM	#8
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	Good info here! I didn't know that you had to keep it covered! If it's a 10 gallon aquarium holding the ATO, would a 10 gallon glass lid be enough? __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

06/15/2011, 12:24 PM	#9
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Any lid that blocks air flow is good enough, but I'm not sure what sort of vents might be in an aquarium lid. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

06/15/2011, 12:51 PM	#10
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I have an off topic question, sort of. The way I understand it is that once you mix the kalk into the water it will separate into three sections, residue on the bottom, clear water in the middle, then a chalky layer on top. 1:4:1 After this has happened, can I pour this into another container? (ATO reservoir) Will these layers separate again or will it just be a cloudy mess? Thanks.

06/15/2011, 12:55 PM	#11
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	For the most part, any kalk supplement will precipitate out when there is too much in the water. It separates on it's own, no help needed. Adding straight RO/DI will resaturate the new water, until you notice, suspect or preferably, test for, the levels in your tank and add new kalk. Jeff

06/15/2011, 01:04 PM	#12
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	Alright so with how I'm doing things now is it okay? Or should I switch to a different container? And from my understanding, add more kalk to the ATO when it doesn't have that layer on top? __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

06/15/2011, 02:28 PM	#15
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	The way I understand it is that once you mix the kalk into the water it will separate into three sections, residue on the bottom, clear water in the middle, then a chalky layer on top. 1:4:1 No, that isn't true. There is no fixed ratio of the three layers, and the top layer is incredibly thin. It is a slowly forming layer of calcium carbonate. It might be 1/16" of an inch think, if that, regardless of the other sizes. The bottom layer is mostly how much excess undissolved solid you add. So the amount depends on how much you add in excess of solubility. There might be 1/10 to 1" of mud, depending on how long it was collecting. The remainder of clear limewater can be as large as you want it to be. In my containers, it is about 3 feet. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

06/15/2011, 02:33 PM	#16
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Hi Randy, Long time no see. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

06/15/2011, 02:53 PM	#18
Jhigga15 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ft. Lauderdale Posts: 249	Hey everyone, sorry to jump in. I have a 5G tank with RO water with no top on the bottom of my biocube stand. I don't have ant thing in there but water, do I still need a top on the tank? __________________ 29G BioCube, Exotic Sun led, Tunze Osmolator, Tunze Skimmer, Intank Media Basket, VorTech MP10w, Marine Magic Triple Doser ---------------------------------------- Jamis Bikes are the BEST!!! Current Tank Info: 29G Biocube HQI with a LED. Set up for aboy 1.6 years.

08/08/2011, 01:09 PM	#19
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	Figured I'd just ask this here rather than make a new post so... It's been probably a month since I've added kalk to my ATO (10g glass tank). There is still residue all over the bottom of the tank so does this mean I still don't need to add anymore? I'm still a bit confused as to when and how much kalk I should add. I do notice my PH still rises when my drip starts, but the PH has been lower in the 7.8-8.1 range rather than what it used to be at about 8.2-8.5. Thanks __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

08/08/2011, 04:18 PM	#20
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	bump __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

08/09/2011, 04:13 PM	#21
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	bump __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

08/09/2011, 04:30 PM	#22
Reefer1225 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 570	Interested in this as well... I added more kalk after the reservoir depleted, but it seemed to raise my CA, ALK, and MG levels. I didn't want it to go any higher so I stopped putting in kalkwasser. Does Kalk maintain current levels or does it raise it? As OP asked, do you keep adding Kalk to ATO when the water is gone from the reservoir even when you see the residue in the bottom? Do you add less kalk then the standard 1 tsp per gallon b/c there is still residue in there? Am I making any sense or just rambling.. haha.. Last edited by Reefer1225; 08/09/2011 at 04:33 PM. Reason: Add more

08/11/2011, 12:34 PM	#23
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	Anyone? __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

08/11/2011, 01:15 PM	#24
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	do you mean you still have the white residue sitting on the bottom but you didn't add any kalk lately? My understanding is you can add fresh RO/DI water and it will stir up this residue and still have kalk in the water. __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

08/11/2011, 02:01 PM	#25
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	Exactly there is still a lot of residue on the bottom, but no hard layer at the top anymore. It's been awhile since I've added kalk. I'm just confused because initially it's like 2 tsp per gallon? But now I can't really tell how much and when to add it? Also my PH is really swinging going from as low as 7.6 with lights off to 8.2 when lights are on. __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

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